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It's a shame that we are all dealing with quality issues on vendor parts. If our company did that, we'd pay for return shipping and give a refund or send out a replacement part. Perhaps we need a Vendor Scoring section on the forums?

Other thoughts?

Answer…. #3… The R3 engine that was previously raced in the ‘Studependous’ drag race ‘60 Lark!

Good thought Nels… but the answer would be found in one of the four (now 3!) above.

Now, what do you do about the lead cable seal on the main bolts?

The Cadillac powered Avanti that was probably destined to be an R4 ac prototype? Whoops! Sorry, too late a serial number.

4313

Yes, a good man…. Paul sold me different NOS Avanti items over the years at very fair prices… and was certainly thinking ahead when he purchased and brought back to the U.S. the two still crated R3 and R4 Paxton built Studebaker engines.

Yeah. Wifey will be available to hear bubbles and hiss. I was going to squirt a little PB Blaster in the line first and wait a few before air'ing it up. Thanks ...and I understand deteriorating... at 72. Dan O'

Yes, gas level sensor is old style float type (probably cork… which can deteriorate with age … like me!) 10 lbs should be plenty… have someone listen for air bubbles at fuel inlet….Ed

I did everything You recommend.. cept blow out and carb inlet filter. Will blow it out tomorrow, That makes some sense to me. The '63' Repair manual said it' gravity feed to the engine pump. Tank sits way higher than the engine pump. Thus needing the rubber line crimped off at the inlet to the pump... Otherwise gas spills out..Had that line off before and not even a drip... So the gas level sensor is not tied into the system?? (it needs replaced anyways) What air psi do You think I should use? Thinking about 10 lbs. Oh, and thanks Bro-Man, for the feedback.. It's reassuring to what I'm doing.

That R4 engine belonged to the late, lamented Paul Johnson.

Number 2

It’s the old school setup Ard… Unfortunately, these Avantis have a bottom dead center fuel outlet (in the tank)… So debris tend to collect in that area….. So blow everything out, change filters (one in carb fuel entrance) and possibly install new mechanical pump…. (inexpensive for Chevys) … Good luck with this!… Ed

I'm an old school Muscle Car Guy, Had Mustangs and GTO (Judge). All were fun, but the Vega was actually downright scary fast. I don't expect the same out of this car but anything close would be more than nice. ............................ I've run up against a fuel feed issue in the ''73''., Gotta blow out the fuel line and maybe I need to get into the tank for the p/u setup. I don't know if there is an ''in tank''' pump or if it's just a p/u and gas level setup. I changed the pump at the engine and added a clear filter... very little is getting pulled up into the filter

P S …. The R4 engine, referred to in answer #4, is still on display at the Studebaker National Museum in South Bend.

Any other thoughts on this one?

Yes Ard,….the ‘400’ had something like 400 lbs/ft of torque at a low RPM…. You’re Vega, a very light car, MUST have been a real THRILL RIDE!!!

Huh. I have just bought a ''73'' Avanti (was listed here) with a 400ci. I've been having fuel issues so I can't judge it's performance ... Yet.. IF it's anything near when I transplanted a 400 in a Chev Vega, it'll be a thrill ride.

I’m finishing up the restoration of my 1956 Golden Hawk, and have been out on the road driving it a bit. It has a 3.92 rear end ratio, and having a stick shift tranny, I’m very impressed with the low end torque this car has… It really pushes me back in the seat when I step on it! I can only imagine what a Studebaker Avanti would have performed like if this engine (352) was available in 1963! Off the line performance of this Stude is similar to my ‘73 Avanti (400CI)

Good answer. Studebaker referred to seat belts as a "Compulsory option". Kind of an oxymoron, but that's how they rolled.

I gave a brief look at my photo stash and unofficially there are wings on R-4859 and balls on R-4868. I have no data in-between those...

AC3289 SEAT BELT R&L $18.50

False Seat belts were listed as optional equipment.